The treatment for weight loss in cats depends on the cause. This is potentially the scariest thing on the list, so let’s get it out of the way first. Many different forms of cancer can cause weight loss. My cat hasnât eaten for four days. A gland found in the neck of humans and animals that secretes glands responsible for metabolic rate, calcitonin, and others. Your vet might do some or all of the following to confirm a diagnosis: Unintentional weight loss is a nonspecific sign that can have many causes. COVID-19 Vaccines: Updates You Need to Know, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Treatment and Home Care for Underweight Cats. In situations where lack of appetite is contributing to weight loss, appetite-stimulating medications or feeding tubes may be used to maintain adequate nutrition while the cause of anorexia is being addressed. Dr. O'Brien is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. GI issues may cause loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and more. Common dental problems in cats include periodontal disease, resorptive lesions, and tooth fractures. Your cat could be experiencing pain from arthritis that is making it difficult to jump up to where the food dish is. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Cats that lose weight because of food allergies may recover completely when the offending foods are removed from their diet. DL. But a heavier cat may need to switch to canned diet food or a special prescription diet that has more protein, vitamins, and minerals per calorie. Additional pets in your home could be eating your cat’s food or obstructing your cat’s access to their food bowl. Your vet will do bloodwork to see if this is the cause of the weight loss. This enlargement is usually caused by a benign tumor that grows on the thyroid. Sometimes, your cat is eating less than you think. Cats with hyperthyroidism may have coats that appear unkempt and greasy. But there are other medical situations that will cause your cat to lose weight, even if they continue to eat their normal amount of food. It's important to take action if you notice unexplained weight loss in your cat. I try not to be in their way when it occurs in my home! Anxiety, stress, or depression. Cats with FIP will seem sick, often with a fever that doesnât respond to antibiotics. Cats over 8 years old are at risk for hyperthyroidism. '', Veterinary Information Network, Veterinarypartner.com: ''Anorexia. Dr. Anna O'Brien is a veterinarian and writer who has worked with animals ranging from horses, dogs, and cats to camels, cows, monkeys, and honeybees. Senior Cat Health: When Is it Time to See the Vet? Gastrointestinal problems. It is much easier to treat a health problem in the early stages than to wait until your cat becomes very ill. Jenna Stregowski, RVT, has more than 20 years of experience working in veterinary medicine and has been writing about pet care for the last decade. It is hard to tell if your cat is really losing weight if it happens gradually. However, some diseases cause weight loss despite adequate food intake. Cats with diabetes may also drink excessive amounts of water, urinate more than usual, act sluggish, develop urinary tract infections, and have sweetly scented breath. When this is the case, other symptoms may include diarrhea, lack of appetite, and vomiting. When a cat's kidneys stop functioning properly, it leads to a variety of other issues. Hyperthyroidism results from a benign hormone-producing tumor on the thyroid gland that elevates levels of thyroid hormone. Your vet will do a physical exam first. If the ribs feel very prominent and are visible, your cat is likely underweight. One of the reasons canned diet foods work better is because finicky felines often prefer wet food to dry. The group of processes that involve the use of nutrients by the body. Or did you recently change brands of food? Successful treatment involves diet changes and often insulin. To assess your cat's body condition, start by looking at your cat's body from above. The fluff of fur covering most cats can serve as camouflage for weight loss until there is a big change. If your vet gives your cat a clean bill of health, then the weight loss may be caused by inadequate food intake or some unknown or undetectable condition. Depending on the cause, weight loss may or may not accompany other signs of illness. Your veterinarian can identify these problems with simple blood and urine tests. Whether your cat is eating or not, if you notice your cat is losing weight, it is important to consult your veterinarian. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ that is located in the throat. There are a variety of different conditions in the gastrointestinal tract that may cause cat weight loss. The weight loss caused by certain conditions of the gastrointestinal tract may be addressed, either solely or in part, by making appropriate changes to your catâs diet. Also known as worms, intestinal parasites may be the cause of your catâs unintentional weight loss. Most forms of cancer will eventually cause general malaise, lethargy, pain, muscle wasting, appetite loss, and overall weight loss. Overtime, without treatment, diabetes is a fatal condition. Many health problems can cause weight loss in cats, some more serious than others. If parasites are the cause, a simple dewormer, directed at the appropriate parasite, can put your cat back on the road to a healthy weight. The ribs should be palpable with a thin covering of fat. Fortunately, even in older cats, weight loss can often be treated, if not cured. Is the food dish up high on a counter? That’s 4.6 lb weight loss since adoption in January. Feline infectious peritonitis. Other symptoms that commonly appear include loss of appetite, lethargy, and hiding. Although not all cat weight loss is caused by cancer, it is a relatively common culprit. Ask your vet for advice about feeding and environmental enrichment. Many elderly cats exhibit weight loss, and it can be difficult to determine the precise cause of the problem, especially because metabolism changes with age. Cats can be very sensitive to changes in their home. Many cats, once used to the devices, will come flying across the room when it is feeding time. In later stages, it may even lead to heart problems or death. Cancer. Be sure to report any changes in your cat's behavior to your vet right away. Signs of diabetes include weight loss, increased appetite, thirst, and urination, and lethargy. A medical condition in which the joints become inflamed and causes a great deal of pain. If your cat has a lot of hair or used to be slightly overweight, then it can be harder to tell when weight loss has occurred. It produces hormones that perform many functions, including regulating the body’s metabolism. FIP, FeLV and FIV are viral diseases in cats. Your vet can examine your cat’s feces to determine if he is carrying parasites that might be causing weight loss.
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